UNITED's transfer treasure chest will be slammed shut once £12million duo Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra have been welcomed into the Old Trafford fold this week.

UNITED's transfer treasure chest will be slammed shut once £12million duo Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra have been welcomed into the Old Trafford fold this week.

Although Sir Alex Ferguson is still looking for a midfield replacement for departed skipper Roy Keane as he continues the process of building a new side to replace the one constructed around the famed `Class of 92', it appears the Red Devils chief has decided to wait until the summer before making his move.

With both Michael Ballack and Thomas Gravesen ruled out on age grounds and no alternative candidate available at present, it is understood Ferguson will instead place his trust in the likes of Alan Smith and Darren Fletcher to provide support for Paul Scholes in the United engine room.

The news may cause concern among the section of Old Trafford fans who believe the club's lack of midfield depth - emphasised during yesterday's embarrassing FA Cup draw at non-league Burton - is a major reason why Chelsea have moved so far clear at the top of the Premiership this season.

But at least Ferguson has acted quickly to address the defensive frailties which have also undermined his side in recent weeks.

Evra should come through the final stages of his medical tomorrow and go straight into the side to face Blackburn in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, as United have finally found the answer to the twin absences of left-backs Gabriel Heinze and Quinton Fortune.

Confident

Vidic's lack of recent match practice means he will be forced to wait until the January 18 replay with Burton before making his Red Devils bow.

However, Ferguson is confident both will prove to be important pieces in a jigsaw which, while the nature of football means will never quite become complete, is now almost constructed to his satisfaction.

"In football, there is never the last piece of the jigsaw," he said.

"You are always chasing the rainbow, no matter how successful you are.

"You always look to improve, which is what we are trying to do here.

"We may do things differently to some other clubs but the one great thing I have always had at my time at United is the backing to take a long-term view of things.

"We have the opportunity of looking a little bit further ahead to see how players will be in two or three years' time.

"Obviously, we also have to try to maintain success at the same time.

"It is not easy but we are not far away. We think the present squad, staying together, can achieve that."

Although it might have crept up on some by surprise, the latest introductions to United's multi-talented squad have just re-emphasised the transition Old Trafford is undergoing at present.

In recent seasons, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Phil Neville and Roy Keane have all left - with Fortune set to join them when his contract expires in the summer.

Evolution

Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Heinze and Louis Saha have arrived in their place, with Evra and Vidic now joining them.

"I have been trying to change things for the last two years," said Ferguson.

"When you have a group of players who have grown up with you and you see them getting older, it is not easy.

"But it is evolution. It happens. No football team stays together forever. Age catches up with everyone.

"I am very happy with the squad now. It is a terrific age and the intention and target is to get this team to grow together as others have done in the past."

Vidic arrives with the reputation as an uncompromising defender, very much in the Heinze mould, who could help get the best out of under-performing £29.1million man Rio Ferdinand.

"All our scouting reports on him were excellent," confirmed Ferguson.

"From what I can see his only weakness is he cannot speak much English.

"We know English football can be different sometimes and teams do have different styles but I am sure he will be fine once he gets a few games under his belt."